NORTH CANTERBURY CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 8121, 18 March 1887, Page 6

NORTH CANTERBURY CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

The annual gathering under the auspices of the above Society took place at Amberley yesterday, and, as in previous years, proved successful in every respect. The excursion train put on from Christchurch by the railway authorities was, despite the rather unpropitioua appearance of the morning, patronised by nearly 400 pleasureseekers. On the arrival of the train at Amberley, a procession of kilted men was formed in the following order:—To the right, the Society’s piper, T. M‘Kay, wearing the Sutherland tartan ; second place, A. M‘Kay, in the M’Kenzie’s tartan ; third place, G. Ross, in the dress of the 42ad Royal Highlanders. Following the pipers were Mr Myles Campbell the President of the Society, in the Campbell’s tartan, and wearing the clan’s crest and coat of arms, Mr A. Francis ‘ • wearing the M Kenzie’s tar >an, Mr H. Carmichael the CampbeU’a tartan, and Mr J. Banks the M'Qregor’s tartan. The procession started to Lord Panmure’s march, which was afterwards changed to “ 79th Cameron Highlanders’ farewell to Gibraltar,” and on entering the field “St Patrick’s Day in the Morning” was struck up. The sports gronnd was the same as that used last year, the Directors having had it again placed at their disposal by Mr J. M'Morran. The games were commenced shortly before twelve, and thanks to the energy displayed by the President (Mr Myles Campbell), Secretary (Mr Rhodes), Treasurer (Mr C. B. Mason) and others of the Directors, they were got through with promptitude and without a hitch. Ail the events attracted a good nnmber of entries, and were well contested. In the races the finishes were, as a rule, remarkably close, proving that the handicappera (Messrs T. M’Naught, C. B. Mason, and Q. A. Wornall) had used considerable judgment in determining the merits of the competitors. As usual, the step-dancing proved very attractive. There was a publican’s booth on the ground under the superintendence' of Mr H. Stace, of the Leithfleld Hotel, and Mr Robinson, of Christ church, had a stall for the sale of confectionery ana non-intoxicating beverages. In the Committees luncheon tent, which was presided over by Mr J. Lewton, no leas than three first-class haggises were served. ’ Two of these were given by Mrs Little, of Allendale, Waikari, and the other by Mrs Waddell, of Balcairn. The judges of the various events were as follows: —Races &c., Messrs G. Cramcton, E. Mason, G. Kemp, and R. Smyth; music. Highland dances and costumes, Messrs T. Ross, J. M. Walker, J. Cameron, and D. M‘Gregor; Irish jig, Messrs J. M'Aleer, D. O’Brien, and R. Smyth; starter, Mr G. A. Wornall; The attendance was larger than at the previous gatherings, there being at one time during the afternoon over 1500 people on the ground. About .£4O was taken at the gates, as against £33 last year. Appended io the list of events decided:—

Vaulting with Pole. First prize, E. Reece and Sons piece of plate, value £2 2s; second, ill; four entries—W. Dalton, 9ft bin 1; J. Boreham and J. Dalziel, 9ft Sin, divided, 2. J. Ashworth also competed. Handicap Boys’ Race (under 16), 200yds. First prize, JB1; second; 10a ; eight entries —J. C. Fitzpatrick, scr, 1; J. Bryce, syds, 2. Putting the Stone, 161 b. First prize, ill 10a; second, 15s ; five entries —G. Robertson, 32ft 2in, 1; J. D. M'Beath, 31ft Sin, 2.

Bagpipe Music. First prize, Mr T. M'Naught’s prize medal, value £2, with £2 cash; three entries. —A. M‘Kay, 1; T. M'Kay, 2. J. Ross also competed and received a special prize, given by Mr D. M‘Gregor. Handicap Race, 100yds. First prize, Mr Sandstoin’s cup and £2 ; second, £1; third, 10a; eighteen entries—First heat; W. J. Dailey, syds, 1; F. Chisnell, 4yds, 2; S. Stace, 3yds, and W. G. Goodwin, scr, 3. Second heat: W. Hayward, 2yds, R. J. Griffith, Byds, and H. Millner, 9yda, 1, dead heat; W. Ryan, Byds, 2. Final: W. Hayward, 1; F. Chisnell, 2; W. J. Dailey, 3. Wrestling, Cumberland style. First prize, £3; second, £1 10s; six entries— S. Robertson, 1; J. Boreham, 2. Robertson had it all his own way.

Highland Eeel, in costume. First prize, £2 10s; second, £1 ; five entries—J. Banka, 1; T. M'Kay, 2. J. Lynsey, A. M'Kay and S. Boss also competed. Handicap Eace, 200yds First prize, Coates' and Co.'s cup and £2 ; second, ill; third, 10s ; twelve entries—W. J. Dailey, Byds, 1; W. G. Goodwin, scr, 2; W. Hayward, 2yds, 3. Tossing the Caber. First prize, Mr Gilchrist’s cup; second, £1; six entries—W. Dalton, 1; G. Eoberteon, 2. Highland Fling (in costume). First prize, £2 10s; second, £1 ; three entries— J. Banks, 1; T. M'Kay, 2. G. Lynsey also competed. Handicap Eace, 440yds. First prize, W. S. Smith and Co.'s prize, barometer, value £4- ; second, £1 10s; third, H. E. May and Co.'s prize, locket; ten entries. J. Fitzpatrick, 6yds, and J. M f Gifford, 15yds, dead heat for first place, divided first and second prizes; W. G. Goodwin, 3. Sailors’ Hornpipe (in Costume). First prize, J. J. Wooller’s prize, marble clock, value £3 10s; second, .£110s; five entries —J, Lynsey, 1; G. Hyland, 2. E. South, J. Ayers, and J. O’Callaghan also competed. Handicap Eace, one mile. First prize, Mr J. S. Woodhouse’s cup and ill; second, £1 10s ; third, 10s; eighteen entries—J. M'Nally, 90yds, 1; A. Middleton, scr, 2; S. Boreham, 75yds, 3. Boys’ Highland Costume. First prize, Mr Fraser’s medal and JEI; second, Messrs Black, Beattie and Co.’s prize of ill—B. Bowden, 1; A. Eoss, 2. Men’s Highland Costume. Fiist prize, medal given by the President, Mr Myles Campbell—J. Banks. Sword Dance, in costume. First prize, £2 10a ; second, ill; two entries—J. Banks, 1; A. M'Kay, 2. Handicap Hurdle Eace, 600yds, over six flights. First prize, Mr M'Morran’si cap and ill; second, Mr Benn’s prize of ill Is ; third, IDs; eleven entries —G. Allen, 10yds, 1; D. M'Laren, scr, 2; G. Duffell, syds, 3. Irish Jig, in costume. First prize, £2 10a; second, ill; three entries—J. O’Callaghan, 1; E. South, 2. Obstacle Eace. First prize, Mr H. M'Laren’s i!2 2s; second, £1; four entries —A.. Bramley, 1; S. Boreham, 2. Sunning High Jump. First prize, £2 ; ateond, JBI-W. Dalton and J. Ashworth,

equal (sft 2in), divided first and second prizes.

Half-mile Handicap Eace. Hirst prize, £2; second, £1 ; third, 10s j thirteen entries—-J. D. M‘Death, 10yds, 1; W. M. Allardyoej scr, 2; J. Fitzpatrick, 'scr, 3. A largely attended ball at the Oddfellows’ Hall wound up the day’s proceedings.